Obituaries for Aug. 2, 2013

Robert Martin “Rob” Burgess, 48, of Baker City, died suddenly July 25, 2013, of a cerebral hemorrhage at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise.

His memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane. There will be a reception afterward at the Sunridge Inn.

Rob was born on Dec. 11, 1964, at Baker City to John C. and Frances E. Burgess. He attended Baker schools and was a 1983 Baker High School graduate. Rob graduated from Eastern Oregon State College at La Grande in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business/economics with a specialization in accounting. He then lived and worked in Phoenix, Ariz., for one year.

After returning to Baker City, he married Tara L. Warren of La Grande in 1988. Rob and Tara had three children: Cole, 20; Erin, 19; and Jack, 13. Rob was very proud of his children and their accomplishments.

Rob joined the firm of Guyer & Associates in 1989. After becoming a certified public accountant in 1994, he became a partner in the firm in 1999. His knowledge of computers was well- respected.

Rob was passionate about his community and was very active in civic affairs. He and his wife, Tara, were both Jaycees. Rob served on many boards: Anthony Lakes Board of Directors, YMCA board, The American Red Cross and the Golf Club Social Board. He was also active in the Chamber of Commerce.

Rob was an avid golfer, scoring multiple holes in one and winning several golf tournaments. He enjoyed flying from a young age in the family’s Cessna 206 airplane. The family flew on many trips, including several to the east coast.

Rob was an accomplished water skier and snow skier. Many happy weekends were spent at the Snake River and at Anthony Lakes with family and friends. He also loved off-road motorcycling.

Rob was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred and Anna Schodde and R.C. “Bud” and Dorothea Burgess; and his uncle, Dean Mahoney MD.

Memorial contributions may be made to Baker County Development Corp., in care of Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, at Guyer and Associates, 2790 Main St., Baker City, OR, 97814, or to the Baker City Golf Club (Social Club), P.O. Box 167, Baker City, OR 97814. Contributions also may be made through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Michael Osborn

Emmett, Idaho, 1972-2013

Michael John Osborn, 40, of Emmett, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died July 29, 2013, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise.

There will be a celebration of his life at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5, at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 4848 N. Five Mile Road in Boise.

Mike broke his leg while getting wood with his family and suffered a stroke due to surgery complications, family members said.

“This unexpected loss has shocked his family and friends and the loss is felt far and wide,” they said.

Mike was born on Aug. 16, 1972, to John and Joyce Conklin Osborn. He was raised on the family ranch in Baker City.

Mike spent his childhood outside working and playing with his siblings, camping, skiing, and being very involved with the Boy Scouts of America, earning his Eagle Scout and Eagle Palms. He was involved with sports, playing baseball, football, and participating in rodeo.

After graduating from Baker High School, Mike attended college at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, the University of Idaho at Moscow, and then at Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande he met his greatest love, Kristie Patton of North Powder.

Mike and Kristie were married at Anthony Lake on Aug. 2, 1997. The two moved to Elko, Nev., briefly for Mike’s work and then settled in Boise. Mike worked as a reporting analyst at DIRECTV and had been there for 15 years, where he became friends with many great people. The family had just recently moved out to Emmett to enjoy the benefits of a smaller town.

The center of Mike’s universe was his family. He was an amazing husband, a true partner in life.

His two kids, Drew and Emrie, have had the benefit of the most involved, loving dad imaginable, his family said. He coached Drew’s football, baseball, and basketball teams and assisted in leading his Boy Scout Troop 132. One of Mike’s favorite weeks each year was taking Drew to summer camp with Scouts.

Mike also coached Emrie in basketball and T-ball and supported her in every activity. Mike loved doing everything with his kids, from camping to playing catch.

“Mike gave the best hugs ever and we will all miss that,” family members said.

Mike was very passionate about everything in life. When he wasn’t working with Boy Scouts or umping baseball, he spent as much time as possible outside. He hunted, fished, hiked, and camped with his family and friends at every opportunity.

He had a true talent for home improvement and Mike and Kristie were in the process of remodeling their new house. Mike fell in love with the sport of triathlon competition last year and completed two Olympic distance events. Mike was a quietly spiritual man and felt closest to God while sitting by the campfire or hiking to the top of a mountain.

“Although we are devastated by this incredible loss, we are thankful that Mike never left anyone in his life in doubt of how much he loved them. He lived life to the fullest, working hard and playing hard in every aspect,” family members said.

“Mike gave back to the community at every opportunity. He loved Optimist Football, Little League, cooking dinner at the Ronald McDonald House and the Boy Scouts of America. If every person was as much of a giver as Mike was, this world would be even more incredible.”

Family members also expressed their appreciation to the DIRECTV employees and all of Mike’s family and friends “who have been so generous and helpful during this time and have managed to remind us of the good in this world even through our grief.”

Survivors include his wife, Kristie; children, Drew, 13, and Emrie, 9; his parents, John and Joyce of Baker City; his siblings, all of Baker City, Mitch (Kelle) and kids Kelby, Aryn and Cayn, Mark (Brandi) and kids Sydney, Keegan and Ava, and Marcy Hayes and kids, Aiden and Alyc; his grandfather, Art Conklin; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jim and Rhea Patton of North Powder.

He was blessed to have the friendship of a lifetime with his best friend, Travis Jones of Stevensville, Mont., and had some amazing times with Travis and his family.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Juanita Osborn, and Georgia Conklin.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people help make their local community a little better in Mike’s honor, with a donation of time or money to a favorite local family charity.

To share memories with the family, visit Mike’s memorial Web page at www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com.

Peggy Robbs

Port Orchard,Wash., 1928-2013

Peggy J. Robbs, 85, of Port Orchard, Wash., a former Baker City resident, died June 25, 2013.

Her final resting place will be in Baker City, beside her beloved son, Scott.

Peggy was a devoted Navy wife. Her husband, Buck, retired in 1968. She moved to Washington after his death and lived there for 21 years.

She enjoyed cooking, crossword puzzles and playing games on her iPad.

She was preceded in death by husband, Buck, and her son, Scott.

Survivors include her daughter, Debbie (Bill) Cook; son, Steve (Cathy) Robbs of Boise; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.